Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is an infection that leads to problems in the bladder and urethra. Left untreated, FLUTD can lead to acute renal failure, which is failure of the kidney.

FLUTD is a common disease in adult cats. Adult males are more prone to it because they have a longer and narrower urethra, and are more susceptible to blockages.

CAUSES:

The cause of FLUTD is usually unknown. Some sources of infection may include:

Bacterial, fungal, and viral infection

Bladder stones

Poor diet

Inadequate water intake

Urinary pH

Stress

High mineral intake

SIGNS:

A cat with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease may have some or all of these signs:

Bloody urine

Straining or inability to urinate; vocalization during urinating attempts

Urinating in unusual places outside of the litter box: most often on cool surfaces

Urinary blockage: almost exclusively a male cat problem

Licking the urinary opening: usually due to pain

Frequent bathroom trips with little urine

As time passes, the bladder fills up with urine and causes painful bladder expansion, due to pressure. Kidney failure can follow within hours. Your cat may show the following signs as the infection progresses:

Distressed, and may howl or cry out in pain

Seeking seclusion

Stopping ofeating and drinking

Vomiting

Lethargy

Unconsciousness as poisons build up in the bloodstream

If you notice ANY of the above-mentioned signs, CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY. Untreated FLUTF is usually fatal.

If you are not sure if your cat is able to urinate, assume that there is an emergency and call your veterinarian’s office right away.